Now, on the occasion of Gudipadwa and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary, ration card holders will receive 'Anandacha Shidha'. This decision was taken in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Under this scheme, about one and a half crore ration card holders in the state will be given 1 kg of semolina, 1 kg of chana dal, 1 kg of sugar and 1 litre of palm oil for INR 100.
Opponents criticised ‘Anandacha Shidha’
The Shiv Sena-BJP government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had implemented the 'Anandacha Shidha' scheme during Diwali last year. However, people did not receive ‘Anandacha Shidha’ (Ration of happiness) in the festival but got it after the festival. Hence, this plan was strongly criticised by the opponents. However, claiming that this scheme has been successful, the government has now again decided to distribute 'Anandcha Shidha'.
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Antyodaya Food Yojana
According to Antyodaya Food Yojana, priority families as well as orange ration card holders on the poverty line who hail from 14 farmer suicide affected districts of Aurangabad and Amravati Divisions and Wardha of Nagpur Division, will get 'Anandacha Sidha' in the form of 1 kg semolina, 1 kg chanadal, 1 kg sugar and 1 litre palm oil from Gudi Padwa onwards. The beneficiaries with e-pass authentication will get grocery items for a month.
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Will spend INR 500 crore
When the scheme was implemented in Diwali, an amount of INR 473,58 was spent. Sources have informed that this plan will be implemented again through the tender process, and an expenditure of at least INR 500 crores is expected for it.